A few things I learned from being a Lakeside Ambassador

Let’s leave our stats for a moment. Let’s pause and reflect. For many like myself, Lakeside was the last tri/duathlon of the season and the cooler weather is a reminder that we will soon be back to our training dungeons until the sun peeks out again, maybe in just a few months time.

This year was my first time as an ambassador for #MSCLakeside and being there are so many different aspects of the race, I have learned a lot. I wanted to share a few things that have striked me before but even more so as a helper on site:

1. Tri/Duathletes are the best. I had a talk with my RMT and when I explained to her the feeling of being around fellow racers, she was surprised: she thought the competitive nature of the sport would make us mean and aggressive. But instead, you have a very focus group arriving in the morning either deep in their thoughts or giving hugs to everyone. During and after the race, you can count on other athletes to cheer for you or give you a hand. Whether or not you podium-ed, you made a connection with the person before or after you or even on the course. You look into each other eyes, and you both know how you felt on the course. You shake hands, you smile. You’ve connected with a pure stranger in a way that most don’t get to in their lives ever. As the dopamine and hunger creeps, the sharing begins. The smiles, the cries. At this moment, we don’t know nor care where you are from, what you did (it is starting to sound like a backstreet boys song, I am aware), we are all a family.
2.  We’ve all been there. Around the 10/11 o’clock mark, try-a-tri athletes came through. As much as many started their first race that weekend doing the sprint and the Olympic, many more started with that one race. Do you remember that moment? Yes, I see me…. when I started 5 years ago. Needing guidance, encouragement, a smile. Those are what makes people compete again. We might have a tri/duathlon social network back home but many don’t. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Even better, volunteer!

4. Inclusivity. ALL. EVERYONE. That means, it doesn’t matter what stage of life I get, you can be assure that someone going through it is there and doing their best. People of all age, size, racial background, etc. At this point we are all there for one reason and one goal.

5. Everyone is inspiring someone whether they know it or not. Some might tell you up front. Some might just gaze at you from a distance, or remember a kind gesture you made and remember you for years on and even pass it forward.

6. Have you met any of the staff at MSC? Hopefully you have or you will. Sure enough, they are there giving us instructions all the way through. But president Jason for example, will have a way to find you and connect with you at some point. If you ever needed help, Chris and Nathan are always around. You are part of this moment despite the individuality of this sport. Furthermore, they provide with a safe event that is well organized EACH and EVERY time. They will listen to your feedback.

7. This is fun. Once you get out there in nature, onto a a safe course and location, your body is free and your mind knows this is where you want to be. You might forget each year but you’ll remember once the season kicks off again.

So if you are a tr/duathlete thank you for your contribution to that community.

If you are looking for a community, please join us next season. You will gain so much.

If you have children, hopefully you can include them as well. They will also gain skills that life wouldn’t otherwise and give them a way to deal with situations in a positive manner.

All the best luck for everyone participating in the #BarrelmanTri

In the meantime, cheers to everyone making the world a better place… one race at the time.

Jessey Deroneth